I understand that you are running some logistics courses at the 'Gulf Logistics Centre' set up by Dubai University College? Can you tell me a bit more about this?
Yes, that was in 2003 - a short term contract to start Gulf Logistics Center under the banner of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) http://www.ameinfo.com/19208.html Five logistics courses were launched for the busy executives but the policy of the university could not sustain the program that was scheduled to go long term. So it had a premature exit. However, one good initiative was bring in the professional group under formation as Supply Chain Logistics Group under DCCI. The link was capitalized by early president of SCLG then in 2003.
Why is there such a need for logistics education in the region?
Touch wood all strategic development is taking place under the able stewardship of the Dubai Government and the committed business interests there. A business model has evolved where diversification of revenue from trade and commerce has fuelled the growth of the region and thus transform the economy rapidly.
Believe it or not, Dubai's leadership is admired by all in the GCC states and some like Kuwait and KSA have realized the crucial importance of logistics education plays in the region. The economy has become a knowledge economy where success goes to those who know how to leverage the wealth of "service sector" of which logistics is a critical part of it. Companies in the region has developed a more complex array of strategic capabilities that allow them to capture the competitive advantages that accrue to efficiency, responsiveness and learning.
The logistics education is recent new phenomenon in Middle East although a decade ago the corporations, governments and other stakeholders have realized vital shift of logistics paradigm in business management. Consequently, it is not difficult to see a senior management at the level of VP and CEO coming with a logistics background. The function of logistics has become a boardroom preoccupation today.
Do you believe that the demand for logistics education will increase in the future?
It will increase in geometric ratio as developments in trade and commerce will focus on activities that support the global transition from an MNC (Multinational Company) to Transnational Company. In other words the demand will outstrip the supply of newly trained graduates in logistics and supply chain management.
Do you feel there is a gap in the logistics taught at university type establishments and that experienced in the logistics industry itself? If so, what is needed to bridge this gap?
A vital point is the gap - let me point out the studies that was conducted in Toronto on Logistics Skills Shortages. One can view this report in full on the website www.translogistique.orgUniversities and community colleges in North America are working jointly to meet the expectations of the industry. A more practical example is the curriculum in the university will include courses on Operations Management and Research but yet this will be good enough only for general use but those specific knowledge in logistics - which is a dynamic function. So professional training has to go hand in hand along with general education and the experiment in GUST Kuwait will have tremendous repercussions in the region as well.
What is your opinion of the current trend of logistics companies setting up their own learning centre's , such as GAC's online corporate academy or ARAMEX centre of excellence in Amman (jointly with the German Jordan university)?
This development is absolutely positive as it adds to the capabilities of producing critical logistics thinkers and doers. it follows the trend in other parts of world such as Boeing supporting training initiatives for logistics in several institutions in Seattle and beyond, Kuehne Nagel in Hamburg and Reliance Group in India.
Do you believe that this trend is going to grow? What is the future for logistics education in the Middle East?
I see an utopian world for logistics where the balancing act in the demand and supply of logistics trained professional graduates is supported by companies committed to logistics as main driver of economic and business growth.
Please feel free to add any additional information you deem relevant?
In logistics education, there are those who could be defined as "knowledge builders" and the others as "knowledge users". There must be a perfect harmony between these two entities so that it achieves the greater good of many in the region.
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